Vanderburgh County Commissioners were given two proposals to increase poll worker pay Tuesday, but commissioners created and approved their own proposal instead.
The first proposal came from the county election board, which voted in February in favor of a $45 raise across the board increase for poll workers paid per diem.
Vanderburgh County Republican Chairman Wayne Parke presented a separate proposal that keeps the same increase for inspectors, the highest paid poll workers.
Lead judges, judges, and clerks would receive more modest raises.
Parke argued the election board proposal would give inspectors a lower effective hourly wage compared to workers with less responsibility and would cost the county more money.
After reviewing the two proposals, commissioners unanimously approved a version, proposed by commissioner Cherly Musgrave, that keeps the raises recommended by the election board, except for inspectors. They'll see an even larger raise of $75.
Republican and Democratic party officials say they’re pleased with the outcome.
"I think it worked out actually well for everybody," said Edie Hardcastle, vice chair of the Vanderburgh County Democrats.
The vote only affects poll workers paid per diem. A proposal to increase pay for hourly employees will go before county council Wednesday.
Officials from both parties have said they want to increase pay because the current wages are to low to attract enough poll workers.